Chapter 1

“Wake up, kids! It’s time for hunting!”

Grandpa Loiua’s voice boomed through the small wooden house, cheerful enough to shake the dust from the rafters.

Chiyaki sat up, rubbing his tired eyes. The room was still bathed in cool, blue shadows. “Grandpa, isn't it too early? The sun’s rays haven't even reached our door yet.”

“Hahaha, of course it's early!” Grandpa replied, his eyes sparkling in the dim light. “But I woke you up so we could see its beauty together!”

Chiyaki smiled, his irritation melting away. He reached over to shake his younger sister’s shoulder. “Hey, Aimiri. Wake up. We’ve gotta go see the sunrise.”

Aimiri blinked open her eyes, looking from her smiling brother to her beaming grandfather. A knowing smile crossed her face.

Watching them, Grandpa Loiua suddenly sniffled, a tear spilling down his weathered cheek.

"Grandpa?" Chiyaki asked, softening. "Why are you crying?"

"I'm just..." Grandpa sobbed happily, wiping his face with a sleeve. "I am just so grateful to nature for gifting me such beautiful, kind grandchildren!"

Aimiri laughed, wrapping her arms around her knees. "We're grateful for you too, Grandpa."

That did it. The sweet words sent Grandpa into a full, dramatic sob of joy.

Outside, the morning air was crisp and carried the scent of damp earth and pine. Birds chirped a symphony in the canopy above as the golden sun finally broke over the horizon, painting the forest of Heighwa in brilliant light. They stood together on the porch, silently soaking in the tranquility of their home.

“Grandpa,” Chiyaki said quietly, breaking the silence. “You said we were going hunting. Are you finally going to teach us the power of nature?”

Grandpa chuckled, turning back to them. “Oh, it’s a beautiful power indeed. But first, you have a trial to complete.”

“You two need to bring home our breakfast!”

Chiyaki and Aimiri exchanged a look, half-laughing, half-frowning. “Seriously?!” they protested in unison.

“Yes, seriously!” Grandpa laughed. “But don't worry, no need to hunt any beasts today. Just some edible vegetables and fresh fruit. A simple breakfast for the three of us.”

Armed with their gathering baskets and their guide to local flora, the siblings set off into the woods. They spent an hour searching the forest floor, eventually filling their packs with Diospyros Blancoi, wild berries, and fiddlehead ferns.

“This should be plenty,” Chiyaki said, slinging his heavy basket over his shoulder.

“More than enough,” Aimiri agreed, wiping sweat from her forehead.

But as they neared the clearing of their home, the peaceful atmosphere vanished. A heavy, suffocating silence hung over the trees. No birds were singing.

Up ahead, their wooden cabin was in ruins. Nearby trees were splintered like toothpicks, and a massive, gnarled tree trunk seemed to have erupted violently from right inside their living room.

“Aimiri, stay here,” Chiyaki whispered, his heart hammering against his ribs.

He didn't wait for her reply. Chiyaki rushed forward, pushing through the shattered doorway, and froze.

The air inside was thick with the copper stench of blood and something sickeningly sweet. There, fused to the center of the giant erupting tree trunk, was his grandfather. Thick, thorny vines had pierced through his chest, rooting him to the wood. Green, watery sap mingled with dark red blood, dripping slowly to the floorboards.

And on the wall behind him, spray-painted in a jagged, bloody red, were two words:

CHEMES X